AAFC notes reports in all major media today concerning the possible ‘derailment’ of the process instituted by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation regarding reform of Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) governance.

According to reports, up to four of the smallest state-based member federations could vote against the recommendations of the Congress Review Working Group (CRWG) submitted to FIFA yesterday, when they are required to endorse them in September.

“If these reports are accurate, then the state member federations involved, and FFA who is reported to be urging this course of action, should hang their collective heads in shame,” said Chairman of AAFC, Rabieh Krayem.

“This seems to me as if FFA’s Board and management do not like the Working Group’s recommendations and – somewhat ironically – are unable to accept the referee’s decision.

“The fact is: the member federations were well represented on the Working Group. All state member federations voted for their four representatives, and all of them had every opportunity to be involved in the discussions, process and decision-making via those representatives.”

Krayem said he also did not understand the suggestion that FFA ‘does not believe the working group represents a fair and equal cross-section’ of the football community.

“AAFC, whose clubs have a combined total of around 35,000 players involving 65,000 volunteer hours per week, met several times with Ms Griggs and the Working Group.

“We might not have agreed on every point, but they were always open to a constructive discussion on the many issues we presented to them,” said Krayem.

“Of course, we do not know what has been recommended, but regardless of the outcome, I will place on record AAFC’s appreciation of the entire Working Group’s willingness to engage with national premier league clubs through us.”

Krayem said he trusts that FIFA and the AFC will accept the report and recommendations of the Working Group for agreement by the existing FFA Congress on September 7.

“Football in Australia wants and needs to be able to get on with the job to develop and grow the game with the entire football community working together.

“These governance issues have more or less paralysed the game for too long. It’s an indictment on the game’s leadership that it apparently wants to continue to extend this paralysis even longer."​ENDS

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